Mike Rowe is spending his fourth CONEXPO/CON-AGG representing Caterpillar and signing copies of his new book: Profoundly Disconnected. In a press meeting he made fun of the work, calling it a "One page book." But the book has a lot more content than its one chapter, including a lot of picture of Rowe getting dirty and a foreword written by Rowe's mother. The main purpose of Profoundly Disconnected is to raise money for the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, which gives scholarships for those pursuing careers in the skilled trades.

blog post photo

In ENR's exclusive interview Rowe talks about the origins of his interest in construction and his great passion to bring national attention to the growing need for skilled tradesmen. 

When Rowe was about to graduate from high school he visited the school's Guidance Counselor. The meeting influences him to this day. The advisor told Rowe that based on his grades his only option was to choose one of two possible colleges. Rowe challenged the man, offering a third option and the Counselor pointed to the below picture: 


blog post photo

Rowe is still questioning the benefits of funneling America's students out of school and into the office. He says it bothered him so much that he made a poster of his own:


blog post photo

Watch ENR's interview with Rowe for the rest of the story and check out Rowe's Facebook post about the show.